Bearing device for vehicle

ABSTRACT

A vehicle-use bearing device having a double row rolling bearing fitted around an outer peripheral surface of a hollow shaft portion of a hub wheel, wherein a held portion between an axially intermediate position and a vehicle outer side in the hollow shaft portion of the hub wheel is axially held between the axially intermediate position of an outer ring shaft portion of a constant velocity joint and the vehicle outer side so that a cup-shaped cylindrical portion of an outer ring of the constant velocity joint is free of contact with a caulked portion in the hollow shaft portion of the hub wheel at the shaft end on the vehicle inner side in order to connect the hub wheel with the constant velocity joint without a clearance, whereby an excessive preload which can affect a rolling performance of the double row rolling bearing is not imparted on the bearing.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a vehicle-use bearing device, and moreparticularly to a vehicle-use bearing device which rotatably supportswheels of an automobile.

BACKGROUND TECHNIQUE

Referring to FIG. 12, conventional bearing devices for driving wheelshave a rolling bearing 2 fitted around an outer periphery of a hollowshaft portion 12 of a hub wheel 1 to which a wheel can be fitted. Thehub wheel 1 is tiltably coupled with a shaft 7 by a constant velocityjoint 3. A shaft end on the vehicle inner side of the hollow shaftportion 12 in the hub wheel 1 is bent and deformed radially outward toconstitute a caulked portion 12 a to be caulked on an outer end face ofan inner ring 25 of the rolling bearing 2 so that the inner ring 25 isthereby preloaded and prevented from falling out.

An outer ring 31 of the constant velocity joint 3 comprises a cup-shapedcylindrical portion 35 which is used as a raceway for a group of ballsfor tilting guide and a shaft portion 36 which is inserted into thehollow shaft portion 12 of the hub wheel 1 so as to be spline fitted toa small diameter portion of the cup-shaped cylindrical portion 35.

The cup-shaped cylindrical portion 35 of the constant velocity joint 3is abutted on the caulked portion 12 a formed by the radially outwardbent and deformed shaft end on the vehicle inner side of the hollowshaft portion 12 in the hub wheel 1. The constant velocity joint 3 isconnected to the hub wheel 1 with a nut 36 i fastened in the manner inwhich an end face of the nut 36 i screwed into a small diameter screwshaft portion 36 h on the vehicle outer side of the outer ring shaftportion 36 of the constant velocity joint 3 contacts with an end face ofan opening 12 c on the vehicle outer side of the hollow shaft portion 12in the hub wheel 1.

The hub unit described above generally, through caulking the vehicleinner side end portion of the hub wheel 1 on the outer end face of theinner ring 25 of the rolling bearing 2, imparts the preload to therolling bearing 2.

In such conventional bearing devices, the constant velocity joint 3 isconnected to the hollow shaft portion 12 of the hub wheel 1 in themanner in which no rattle in the axial direction is generated. Thus,fastening the nut 36 i too tight would result in an excessive preloadwith respect to the rolling bearing 2 via the caulked portion 12 a,leading to the likelihood of an adverse effect on a rolling performanceof the rolling bearing 2.

Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide abearing device wherein a constant velocity joint can be connected to ahub wheel without imparting an excessive preload with respect to arolling bearing.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a hub wheel having a hollow shaftportion, a rolling bearing fitted around the hollow shaft portion of thehub wheel and a constant velocity joint tiltably coupling an input shaftwith the hub wheel. The constant velocity joint has an outer ring. Theouter ring comprises a cylindrical portion (an outer ring cylindricalportion) housing an element for tilting guide and a shaft portion (anouter ring shaft portion) provided adjacently to the outer ringcylindrical portion. A shaft end on the vehicle inner side of the hollowshaft portion of the hub wheel is caulked on an outer end face on thevehicle inner side of an inner ring of the rolling bearing. The outerring shaft portion of the constant velocity joint is inserted into thehollow shaft portion of the hub wheel so as not to be circumferentiallyrotated.

A held portion provided between the axially intermediate position andthe vehicle outer side in the hollow shaft portion of the hub wheel isaxially sandwiched between the axially intermediate position and thevehicle outer side in the outer ring shaft portion of the constantvelocity joint. Accordingly, the outer ring of the constant velocityjoint is connected to the hub wheel in the manner in which the outerring cylindrical portion of the constant velocity joint is free ofcontact with the shaft end on the vehicle inner side of the hollow shaftportion of the hub wheel caulked on the outer end face on the vehicleinner side of the inner ring of the rolling bearing.

According to the present invention, the outer ring of the constantvelocity joint is connected to the hub wheel in the manner in which theouter ring cylindrical portion of the constant velocity joint is free ofcontact with the shaft end of the hub wheel caulked on the outer endface on the vehicle inner side of the inner ring.

To put it differently, in the present invention, the caulked portiondoes not receive any influence arisen from the connection of the outerring of the constant velocity joint to the hub wheel. Thus, thedescribed connection no longer imparts an excessive preload that couldadversely influence the rolling performance of the inner ring of therolling bearing.

More particularly in the present invention, the axially intermediateposition and the vehicle outer side in the hollow shaft portion of thehub wheel are axially sandwiched between the axially intermediateposition and the vehicle outer side in the outer ring shaft portion ofthe constant velocity joint. The outer ring of the constant velocityjoint is thereby connected to the hub wheel.

In the case described above, it is unnecessary, when the outer ring ofthe constant velocity joint is connected to the hub wheel, to adopt theconventional manner such that the caulked portion of the shaft end onthe vehicle inner side and an opening on the vehicle outer side of thehollow shaft portion of the hub wheel are axially sandwiched between theouter ring cylindrical portion of the constant velocity joint and theshaft end on the vehicle outer side.

Thus, a clearance can be provided between the caulked portion and theouter ring cylindrical portion, which eliminates the excessive preloadimparted on the inner ring of the rolling bearing from the outer ringcylindrical portion. Consequently, a desired life of the rolling bearingcan be achieved with no reduced rolling performance thereof in theabsence of the excessive preload.

Preferably in the present invention, in the inner periphery of thehollow shaft portion of the hub wheel, the distance between the vehicleinner side shaft end and the axially intermediate position is set to alarge diameter, and the distance between the axially intermediateposition and the vehicle outer side opening is set to a small diameter.Further, in the outer periphery of the outer ring shaft portion of theconstant velocity joint, the distance between the vehicle inner sideshaft end and the axially intermediate position is set to a largediameter, and the distance between the axially intermediate position andthe vehicle outer side shaft end is set to a small diameter. The outerring shaft portion of the constant velocity joint is inserted from thevehicle inner side into the hollow shaft portion of the hub wheel in themanner in which a second step wall surface between a large diameterportion and a small diameter portion in the outer ring shaft portion ofthe constant velocity joint is abutted on a first step wall surfacebetween a large diameter portion and a small diameter portion in thehollow shaft portion of the hub wheel. In such a manner, the axialposition of the outer ring shaft portion with respect to the hollowshaft portion is determined.

When the outer ring of the constant velocity joint is connected to thehub wheel under the circumstances described above, it becomesunnecessary to abut the outer ring cylindrical portion of the constantvelocity joint on the caulked portion of the vehicle inner side shaftend in the hollow shaft portion of the hub wheel in order to determinethe axial position of the outer ring shaft portion with respect to thehollow shaft portion, which has been the conventional step. Thiseventually provides a clearance between the caulked portion and theouter ring cylindrical portion, which enables to release the inner ringof the rolling bearing from the excessive preload imparted from theouter ring cylindrical portion. As a result, an appropriate preload canbe imparted with respect to the inner ring of the rolling bearing toachieve a life desired in the designing process.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view in longitudinal section of a vehicle-use bearingdevice according to the best mode for executing the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of main parts of the bearing devicein FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the hub wheel of the bearingdevice in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the outer ring shaft portion ofthe constant velocity joint of the bearing device in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a side view in longitudinal section of a vehicle-use bearingdevice according to another mode for executing the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of main parts of the bearing devicein FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a side view in longitudinal section of a vehicle-use bearingdevice according to still another mode for executing the presentinvention.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view of main parts of the bearing devicein FIG. 7.

FIG. 9A is a partial perspective view of a hollow shaft portion of a hubwheel of the bearing device in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9B is a partial perspective view of an outer ring shaft portion ofa constant velocity joint of the bearing device in FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a side view in longitudinal section of a vehicle-use bearingdevice according to still another mode for executing the presentinvention.

FIG. 11A is an enlarged sectional view of main parts with seals providedthereon of the bearing device in FIG. 10.

FIG. 11B is another enlarged sectional view of main parts with sealsprovided thereon of the bearing device in FIG. 10

FIG. 11C is still another enlarged sectional view of main parts withseals provided thereon of the bearing device in FIG. 10

FIG. 11D is still another enlarged sectional view of main parts withseals provided thereon of the bearing device in FIG. 10

FIG. 12 is a side view in longitudinal section of a conventionalvehicle-use bearing device.

THE BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4, described is a vehicle-use bearingdevice according to the best mode for executing the present invention.The bearing device is a type of bearing used on the driving wheel sideof an automobile and comprises a hub wheel 1, a rolling bearing 2 and aconstant velocity joint 3.

The hub wheel 1 has a radially outward flange 11, to which a wheel notshown is fitted, and a hollow shaft portion 12 having a bearing-engagingregion in the outer periphery thereof, to which the rolling bearing 2 isfixed.

Closer to the vehicle outer side on the outer peripheral surface of thehollow shaft portion 12 of the hub wheel 1 is formed a raceway surface22 a for a group of single-row balls 22 used for the rolling bearing 2.The vehicle inner side shaft end in the hollow shaft portion 12 of thehub wheel 1 is bent radially outward and caulked on an outer end face ofan inner ring 25 on the vehicle inner side of the rolling bearing 2 toconstitute a caulked portion 12 a.

The rolling bearing 2 is, as in the usual double-raw rolling bearings,comprised of a single outer ring 21 having double row raceway grooves,the plurality of balls 22 provided in two rows used as rolling elementsand two crown-shaped cages 23. As described, one of originally requiredtwo inner rings is substituted by the raceway surface 22 a on thevehicle outer side of the hub wheel 1, and only the inner ring 25 on thevehicle inner side is provided. In the outer ring 21 is formed aradially outward flange 24 which is fixed to a vehicle body 6 withbolts.

A constant velocity joint publicly known as Zeppa type (bar field type),for example, is specified for the constant velocity joint 3, which iscomprised of an outer ring 31, an inner ring 32, balls 33 and a cage 34.

The outer ring 31 is comprised of a cup-shaped cylindrical portion 35wherein the inner ring 32, the balls 33 and the cage 34 and such arearranged to be housed, and a shaft portion 36 (outer ring shaft portion)connected to the cylindrical portion 35 on the small diameter sidethereof as an integral unit.

One end side of an input shaft 7 for inputting a rotational motive poweris spline fitted to the inner ring 32 and also fixed to the same by alocating snap ring (reference symbol omitted) or such so as not to fallout. The other end of the input shaft 7 is fitted on a differentialdevice in the vehicle via another constant velocity joint not shown.

The rolling bearing 2 is fitted around the outer periphery of the hubwheel 1. The constant velocity joint 3 is mounted on the hub wheel 1 inproximity to the rolling bearing 2.

Bolts 13 are penetrably inserted into a few positions of thecircumference of the flange 11 in order to fix a disk rotor 4 of a diskbrake device and a wheel (now shown).

In the bearing device described above, the rotational motive power ofthe input shaft 7 is conveyed via the constant velocity joint 3 to awheel not shown fitted to the hub wheel 1.

Described hereinafter are the features of the bearing device.

The cylindrical portion 35 of the outer ring 31 of the constant velocityjoint 3 is in the state of having no contact with the caulked portion 12a because of a clearance G. Accordingly, the outer ring 31 of theconstant velocity joint 3 is connected to the hollow shaft portion 12 ofthe hub wheel 1.

In the hollow shaft portion 12 of the hub wheel 1, a portion between anaxially intermediate position 12 b and an opening 12 c on the vehicleouter side is addressed as a held portion. The held portion is axiallysandwiched between an axially intermediate position 36 b and a shaft end36 c side on the vehicle outer side in the outer ring shaft portion 36of the constant velocity joint 3. According to the manner in which theheld portion is sandwiched, the outer ring 31 of the constant velocityjoint 3 is connected to the hollow shaft portion 12 of the hub wheel 1.

To be specific, in the inner periphery of the hollow shaft portion 12 ofthe hub wheel 1, the distance between the caulked portion 12 a, that isthe vehicle inner side shaft end, and the axially intermediate position12 b is set to a large diameter, the distance between the axiallyintermediate position 12 b and the vehicle outer side opening 12 c isset to a small diameter. In the small diameter portion is provided amale spline 12 f. A groove bottom 12 d of the male spline 12 f islocated on the inner diameter side with respect to a large diameter 12e.

In the outer periphery of the outer ring shaft portion 36 of theconstant velocity joint 3, the distance between a shaft end 36 a on thevehicle inner side and the axially intermediate position 36 b is set toa large diameter, and likewise, the distance between the intermediateposition 36 b and the vehicle outer side shaft end 36 c is set to asmall diameter. A male spline 36 f is provided in the small diameterportion. A tip 36 d of the male spline 36 f is located on the innerdiameter side with respect to a large diameter portion 36 e.

When the outer ring shaft portion 36 of the constant velocity joint 3 isinserted from the vehicle inner side into the hollow shaft portion 12 ofthe hub wheel 1, a second step wall surface 36 g between the largediameter portion and the small diameter portion in the outer ring shaftportion 36 of the constant velocity joint 3 is abutted on a first stepwall surface 12 g between the large diameter portion and the smalldiameter portion in the hollow shaft portion 12 of the hub wheel 1.Thus, the axial position of the outer ring shaft portion 36 with respectto the hollow shaft portion 12 is determined.

At the vehicle outer side shaft end 36 c in the outer ring shaft portion36 of the constant velocity joint 3 is provided a small diameter screwshaft portion 36 h, into which a nut 36 i is screwed. An end face 36 jof the nut 36 i is located and fitted with respect to an end face 12 hof the vehicle outer side opening 12 c in the hollow shaft portion 12 ofthe hub wheel 1, in the case of which, adhesives or other materials canbe used to prevent the nut 36 i from loosening.

As described hereinbefore, the cup-shaped cylindrical portion 35 in theouter ring 31 of the constant velocity joint 3 is, with the axialclearance G in between, in the state of having no contact with thecaulked portion 12 a caulked on an outer end face 25 a of the inner ring25 on the vehicle outer side of the rolling bearing 2. Accordingly, theouter ring 31 of the constant velocity joint 3 is connected to the hubwheel 1.

Therefore, there is no longer the excessive preload imparted on theinner ring 25 from the caulked portion 12 a in the outer ring shaftportion 36 of the constant velocity joint 3.

ANOTHER MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(1) According to the mode for carrying out the present inventiondescribed above, the nut 36 i is relied upon for the location of theshaft end 36 c side on the vehicle outer side in the outer ring shaftportion 36 of the constant velocity joint 3 with respect to the end face12 h of the vehicle outer side opening 12 c in the hollow shaft portion12 of the hub wheel 1. However, the formations shown in FIGS. 5 and 6may alternatively be adopted.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, an outer ring shaft portion 36 of a constantvelocity joint 3 is of hollow shaft structure. A shaft end 36 c on thevehicle outer side of the outer ring shaft portion 36 is bent anddeformed radially outward to constitute a caulked portion 36 c′, whichis caulked on an end face 12 h of an opening 12 c on the vehicle outerside of a hollow shaft portion 12.

In the case of the above formation, an outer ring 31 of the constantvelocity joint 3 is connected to a hub wheel 1 in the state in which acup-shaped cylindrical portion 35 in the outer ring 31 of the constantvelocity joint 3 is free of contact, with an axial clearance G inbetween, with a caulked portion 12 a on the inner ring 25 side on thevehicle inner side of a rolling bearing 2.

In the hollow shaft portion 12 of the hub wheel 1, an axiallyintermediate position 12 b and the vehicle outer side opening 12 c arearranged to be axially sandwiched between an intermediate position 36 band the caulked portion 36 c′ in the outer ring shaft portion 36 of theconstant velocity joint 3. Then, the outer ring 31 of the constantvelocity joint 3 is connected to the hub wheel 1.

Therefore, there is no longer an excessive preaload imparted on theinner ring 25, via the caulked portion 12 a, from the outer ring shaftportion 36 of the constant velocity joint 3.

(2) In the mode for carrying out the present invention described above,a second step wall surface 36 g between a large diameter portion and asmall diameter portion in the outer ring shaft portion 36 of theconstant velocity joint 3 is arranged to abut on a first step wallsurface 12 g between a large diameter portion and a small diameterportion in the hollow shaft portion 12 of the hub wheel 1 with the outerring shaft portion 36 of the constant velocity joint 3 inserted from thevehicle outer side into the hollow shaft portion 12 of the hub wheel 1.However, the formations in FIGS. 7 through 9 may alternatively beadopted.

Referring to FIGS. 7 through 9, in the region extending from an axiallyintermediate position 12 b through an opening on the vehicle outer sidein the inner periphery of a hollow shaft portion 12 of a hub wheel 1 isprovided a female spline 12 f′ having a tip surface 12 i smaller thanthe inner diameter thereof.

In the region extending from an axially intermediate position 12 bthrough a shaft end 36 c on the vehicle outer side in the outerperiphery of an outer ring shaft portion 36 of a constant velocity joint3 is provided a male spline 36 f′ having a bottom surface 36 n smallerthan the outer periphery of the outer ring shaft portion 36.

When the outer ring shaft portion 36 of the constant velocity joint 3 isinserted from the vehicle outer side into the hollow shaft portion 12 ofthe hub wheel 1, an end portion 36 k on the vehicle inner side of themale spline 36 f′ is pushed against an end portion 12 j on the vehicleinner side of the female spline 12 f′ in the hollow shaft portion 12 ofthe hub wheel 1. In the above formation, the axial position of the outerring shaft portion 36 with respect to the hollow shaft portion 12 may bedetermined.

(3) In the mode for carrying out the present invention described above,a fine clearance G resides between the caulked portion 12 a formed bythe radially outward bent and deformed shaft end on the vehicle innerside of the hollow shaft portion 12 of the hub wheel 1 and thecylindrical portion 35 in the outer ring 31 of the constant velocityjoint 3.

The clearance G could possibly allow muddy water to invade into betweenthe splines provided respectively in the inner periphery of the hollowshaft portion 12 and in the outer periphery of the outer ring shaftportion 36 of the constant velocity joint 3, to remain and developcorrosion therein.

In order to prevent the invasion of the muddy water, seals 40 and 41 inFIGS. 10 and 11 may be provided.

The seal 40 is made of an elastic body such as rubber or other materialsand provided between axially opposing faces of the caulked portion 12 aand the cup-shaped cylindrical portion 35.

To be specific, an annular groove 35 a as a recess as shown in FIG. 11A–C, and a cutout 35 b as a recess as shown in FIG. 11D are provided onthe axially opposing faces of the cup-shaped cylindrical portion 35. Theseal 40, inserted into the annular groove 35 a or the cutout 35 b,prevents the muddy water from invading inside of the bearing by sealingthe clearance G.

The seal 41 is made of an elastic body such as rubber or othermaterials, and provided on opposing faces of the inner peripheral regionin the hollow shaft portion 12 located on the vehicle inner side withrespect to the splines 12 f and 36 f and the outer peripheral region inthe outer ring shaft portion 36 of the constant velocity joint 3.

To be specific, an annular groove 36 m as a recess as shown in FIG. 11A–D is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring shaftportion 36 of the constant velocity joint 3.

The seal 41 is inserted into the annular groove 36 m to seal theclearance between the inner peripheral surface of the hollow shaftportion 21 and the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring shaftportion 36. Accordingly, the seal 40, together with the seal 41,prevents the muddy water from invading into the splines 12 f and 36 f toavoid corrosion.

Both the seals 40 and 41 are not necessarily required. At least one ofthem can be employed.

The seals 40 and 41 may be comprised of a seal lip fixed to an annularcored bar, which is inserted into the annular grooves 35 a, 36 m and thecutout 35 b.

POSSIBILITY OF INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION

The present invention can be applied to a vehicle-use bearing device towhich a disc rotor for a disk brake device in an automobile and a wheelcan be fitted.

1. A vehicle-use bearing device comprising: a hub wheel having a hollow shaft portion; a rolling bearing fitted around the hollow shaft portion of the hub wheel; and a constant velocity joint tiltably coupling an input shaft with the hub wheel; wherein the constant velocity joint has an outer ring which comprises an outer ring cylindrical portion, said cylindrical portion housing an element for tilting guide with respect to the input shaft and an outer ring shaft portion, said shaft portion being provided adjacently to the outer ring cylindrical portion; wherein a shaft end on a vehicle inner side of the hollow shaft portion of the hub wheel is caulked on an outer end face on a vehicle inner side of an inner ring of the roiling bearing; wherein the outer ring shaft portion of the constant velocity joint is inserted into the hollow shaft portion of the hub wheel so as not to be circumferentially rotated; said hub wheel having an outer side opening and an intermediate portion, said intermediate portion being intermediate said vehicle inner side shaft end and said outer side opening of said hub wheel; said constant velocity joint having a vehicle inner side, a vehicle outer side shaft end and an axially intermediate portion, said axially intermediate portion of said constant velocity joint being intermediate said vehicle inner side and said vehicle outer side shaft end of said constant velocity joint; and wherein a held portion provided between said axially intermediate position and said vehicle outer side in the hollow shaft portion of the hub wheel is axially sandwiched between an axially intermediate position and said vehicle outer side in the outer ring shaft portion of the constant velocity joint, whereby the outer ring of the constant velocity joint is connected to the hub wheel in the manner in which the outer ring cylindrical portion of the constant velocity joint is free of contact with the shaft end on the vehicle inner side of the hollow shaft portion of the hub wheel caulked on the outer end face on the vehicle inner side of the inner ring of the rolling bearing.
 2. A vehicle-use bearing device according to claim 1, wherein, in an inner periphery of the hollow shaft portion of the hub wherein, a distance between the vehicle inner side shaft end and the axially intermediate position is set to a large diameter, and a distance between the axially intermediate position and an opening on the vehicle outer side is set to a small diameter; wherein, in the outer periphery of the outer ring shaft portion of the constant velocity joint, a distance between the vehicle inner side shaft end and the axially intermediate position is set to a large diameter, and a distance between the axially intermediate position and the vehicle outer side shaft end is set to a small diameter; and wherein the outer ring shaft portion of the constant velocity joint is inserted from the vehicle inner side into the hollow shaft portion of the hub wheel in the manner in which a second step wall surface between the large diameter portion and the small diameter portion in the outer ring shaft portion of the constant velocity joint is abutted on a first step wall surface between the large diameter portion and the small diameter portion in the hollow shaft portion of the hub wheel, and thereby the axial position of the outer ring shaft portion with respect to the hollow shaft portion is determined.
 3. A vehicle-use bearing device according to claim 2, wherein a fastening member is provided at a shaft end on the vehicle outer side of the outer ring shaft portion of the constant velocity joint; and wherein the first step wall surface and the vehicle outer side in the hollow shaft portion of the hub wheel is axially sandwiched between the second step wall surface and the fastening member in the outer ring shaft portion of the constant velocity joint so that the outer ring of the constant velocity joint is connected to the hub wheel.
 4. A vehicle-use bearing device according to claim 3, wherein a nut is used as the fastening member, a small diameter screw shaft portion is provided at the vehicle outer side shaft end of the outer ring shaft portion, and the nut is screwed into the small diameter screw shaft portion; and wherein an end face of the nut is pushed against an outer end face on the vehicle outer side of the hollow shaft portion.
 5. A vehicle-use bearing device according to claim 2, comprising a caulked portion formed by the vehicle outer side shaft end in the outer ring shaft portion bent and deformed radially outward to be caulked on an outer end face on the vehicle outer side of the hollow shaft portion; wherein the first step wall surface and the vehicle outer side in the hollow shaft portion of the hub wheel is axially sandwiched between the second wall surface and the caulked portion in the outer ring shaft portion of the constant velocity joint so that the outer ring of the constant velocity joint is connected to the hub wheel.
 6. A vehicle-use bearing device according to claim 1, wherein, in the inner periphery of the hollow shaft portion of the hub wheel, a distance between the vehicle inner side shaft end and the axially intermediate position is set to a large diameter, a distance between the axially intermediate position and an opening on the vehicle outer side is set to a small diameter, and in the small diameter portion is provided a female spline having a groove bottom located on an inner diameter side with respect to the large diameter portion; wherein, in the outer periphery of the outer ring shaft portion of the constant velocity joint, a distance between a shaft end on the vehicle inner side and the axially intermediate position is set to a large diameter, and a distance between the axially intermediate position and the vehicle outer side opening is set to a small diameter, and in the small diameter portion is provided a male spline having a tip located on the inner diameter side with respect to the large diameter portion; wherein the outer ring shaft portion of the constant velocity joint is inserted from the vehicle inner side into the hollow shaft portion of the hub wheel, and an end portion on the vehicle inner side of the male spline in the outer ring shaft portion of the constant velocity joint is pushed against an end portion on the vehicle inner side of the female spline in the hollow shaft portion of the hub wheel so that the axial position of the outer ring shaft portion with respect to the hollow shaft portion is determined.
 7. A vehicle-use bearing device according to claim 6, wherein a small diameter screw shaft portion is provided at the vehicle outer side shaft end in the outer ring shaft portion, and a nut is screwed into the small diameter screw shaft portion; wherein an end face of the nut is abutted on an outer end face on the vehicle outer side of the hollow shaft portion.
 8. A vehicle-use bearing device according to claim 6, wherein the vehicle outer side shaft end of the outer ring shaft portion is bent and deformed radially outward to be caulked on an outer end face on the vehicle outer side of the hollow shaft portion.
 9. A vehicle-use bearing device according to claim 1, wherein a seal is provided on opposing faces of the caulked portion formed by the shaft end on the vehicle inner side of the hollow shaft portion bent and deformed radially outward and the outer ring cylindrical portion of the constant velocity joint axially facing the caulked potion.
 10. A vehicle-use bearing device according to claim 9, wherein the seal is inserted into a recess provided on one of the opposing faces to be pressed against the other opposing face.
 11. A vehicle-use bearing device according to claim 1, wherein a seal is provided on opposing faces of an inner peripheral region located on the vehicle inner side with respect to the axially intermediate position in the hollow shaft portion of the hub wheel and an outer peripheral region in the outer ring shaft portion of the constant velocity joint.
 12. A vehicle-use bearing device according to claim 11, wherein the seal is inserted into a recess provided on one of the opposing face to be pressed against the other opposing face. 